It
wasn't planned but, given the shape of the company it may not have been
a total surprise, either. Regardless of how or why it happened, being
downsized or restructured is a shocking event, one that has been experienced
by many in the modern workforce. Dealing with it has become a true challenge
of change.

Psychologists
speak of various states of shock, denial, anger and acceptance that
are experienced when traumatic events occur in our lives. It isn't unusual
to feel a sense of grief, anxiety or depression. These are human reactions.
It is also normal to feel a sense of dislocation because the familiar
structure of daily life has been disrupted. The key to moving beyond
the emotional shock of downsizing is to first acknowledge and then accept
it.

Acceptance
is the key to freeing yourself from regrets, blame, hostility or self-criticism.
It will improve your outlook on the future and revitalize your energies
in the present. Remembering your successes by looking back on your career
achievements will empower you as these accomplishments are proof of
the valuable contribution you have to make.

Talk out
your feelings with family and friends. It is healthy to communicate
what you are experiencing. Network with a local support group whose
prime purpose is to promote self-confidence. Mutual self-help groups
will give you a renewed sense of purpose and vitality. Reading biographies
about people who encountered similar challenges and rose above them
is another inspirational and practical tool to use for rebuilding self-esteem.
Understanding how other people overcame their obstructions and limitations
will help to strengthen your resolve and get your career back on track.

Some make
the error of launching themselves into an immediate self-marketing campaign
motivated by the fear of not being able to find new employment. The
concern is that they may still feel resentment towards their former
employer and carry these unresolved feelings of anger and betrayal into
job interviews. Astute employers can recognize the signs of internal
distress and may choose not to pursue any further discussions. You owe
it to yourself to wait until you have arrived at a calm state of acceptance
before going out to interview for jobs.

In order
to meet the future, you need to leave behind the recent past. Holding
on to a feeling of being victimized is not in your best interest. It
can cloud your interactions with others, projecting a negative image.
Once the emotions have subsided and you have achieved acceptance, you'll
begin to view the changes that have happened as a positive challenge
for personal growth. Then, it will be time to start taking personal
inventory, reviewing the specific skills, aptitudes, knowledge and abilities
you have. Recognize the opportunity in front of you to make new choices
and perhaps take an entirely new direction in your career. As recruiters,
we often witness people who have faced one door closing only to find
others opening in unexpected and beneficial ways.

After allowing
yourself a little time to heal, without indulging in self-pity, you'll
be ready to take that first important step on a new path to the future.